INITIAL SETBACK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 121, 20 April 1940, Page 7

INITIAL SETBACK.

TREACHERY IN NORWAY. GATHERING RESISTANCE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 19. . Speaking of the situation in Scandinavia, the Financial Secretary to the War Office (Sir Edward Grigg) referred to the treachery whereby the Germans managed to effect an entry into Oslo. Faked orders, he said, were sent to the commanders of troops and batteries. The only resistance made to the German ships was by accident, but so effective was it that it was easy to realise how much the Norwegian people had lost by treachery. Despite th'is and despite the consequent loss of strong points, supplies and equipment, the -Norwegian military command was making a gallant resistance to the German pressure. The Allies had already landed forces at several points, and these would be increased with all possible rapidity. “You must not, however, expect decisive results at the pace at which things move in the cinema. IV ar is not like that. Results are not secured without careful planning and organisation. Norway, fortunately for her defenders, is extremely broken andj hard to traverse and the northern part is still deep in snow. Action, I therefore, is bound at first to take the form of guerrilla warfare and the news will perforce come slowly. But we have no reason to be dissatisfied with the way in which events have turned since April 9 and we have every confidence that wo shall prove before long to be decisive gainers by Germany s perfidious Norwegian adventure.” Dealing with the German merchant shipping losses, Sir Edward said it was almost certain that 12,540 tons of German merchant shipping had been sunk in the last ten days, excluding a dozen ships reported sunk oi damaged by submarines. “It seems, he added, “that 100,000 tons at least of German merchant shipping has been destroyed since the Germans began their Norwegian adventure.” HITLER CONCERNED. The resistance of the Norwegian population, according to inlormation reaching authoritative circles in London, has surprised the Germans, who have tried every means to establish a provisional Government which would accept the German terms, and they would sacrifice the Quisling Government for this purpose. It is reliably stated that the Norwegian Minister in Berlin Ims been twice summoned by Hitler, v,-..0 described Norway’s attitude as incomprehensible, ans declared that unless the King was immediately induced to accept the German terms he would let loose a campaign of terror which would be carried through without regard lor any humanity. Direct information from Oslo since received indicates that the German I authorities are nervous and threatening to shoot indiscriminately unless terms are reached without delay. The Bishop of Oslo has rerused to accept any appointment from the Ger man authorities, and a similar refusa is likely from the Chiet Justice o Norway, who has also been apPr Tlie h President of the Norwegian Parliament (Dr. Hambro) is reported to have urged that it is out of the question for any Norwegian in Oslo to collaborate in anything purporting to be a Norwegian Government at the dictation of the Germans.